Beleaguered Jordan quits as ANC MP

Cape Town – The ANC’s Pallo Jordan has offered to step down as a member of Parliament, following the furore over his right to use the title “Dr”.

The Sunday Times last week claimed that Jordan, who has routinely used the title of “Dr”, appears to have never even finished university – despite an official government CV of his suggesting he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the London School of Economics. Jordan did, however, study at Wisconsin-Madison but did not graduate.

The ANC said on Monday evening that it had received a detailed explanation from Jordan on the claims that his qualifications are false.

The party said Jordan had apologised to the ANC, its membership and SA.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said: “Comrade Jordan has also offered to resign his membership of Parliament, the National Executive Committee of the ANC and the ANC.

“We have accepted his resignation from Parliament.”

His membership of the NEC and the ANC have been referred to the structures of the organisation.

Gwede added: “A man of Jordan's intellect does not need to perpetuate deceit; he must be given time to deal with his guilt. As the ANC, we have accepted his public apology; to apologise was not an action of the faint-hearted.”